A July 2000 audit of about 25,000 Wal-Mart workers found thousands of labor violations including child labor law violations and workers not taking breaks or lunches. Wal-Mart was dismissive of the audit's findings and has made no attempt to change its practices. Critics of the company feel that the audit reveals Wal-Mart's policy of putting profit before workers' rights. Wal-Mart has faced over 40 lawsuits alleging labor violations.
See "Wal - Mart Audit Finds Labor Violations", The New York Times, January 12, 2004